Two theaters in Battambang, Cambodia were revitalized, sparked by a visit from Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie.
Both the Golden Temple Theatre (Prasat Meas) and Battambang Cinema are cultural heritage sites built in the 1960s which represented the “Golden Age” of Cambodian cinema, characterized by a blend of traditional Khmer folklore with modern filmmaking techniques. Sadly, both buildings have gone through neglect in decades past, resulting in disrepair and deterioration.
Phare Ponleu Selpak—a non-profit arts organization based in Battambang—invited Angelina Jolie to visit the historical sites, aiming to elevate the restoration efforts beyond local discussions and to highlight the significance of cultural preservation. The visit was joined by Battambang provincial governor Sok Lou, alongside officials from the Department of Culture and Fine Arts and other municipal authorities.
The proposed vision for Golden Temple Theatre involves a transformation into a multi-functional cultural space, combining professional performance venue, museum and exhibition areas while also being a creative workspace for training, artistic production and experimentation. The initiative also aims to rebuild a vibrant cultural ecosystem in Battambang that provides young artists access to professional platforms, training opportunities, and direct engagement with audiences.
“We are deeply grateful to Angelina Jolie for her visit and for the interest she has shown in Cambodian culture, its preservation and its future development. The ambition is to help lead, alongside a broader collective of cultural actors, a restoration that benefits the city as a whole,” shared Osman Khawaja, executive director of Phare Ponleu Selpak in an interview with The Post.